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15 Best Car Accessories for a Road Trip

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Heading on a road trip? Find out the best car accessories for traveling that will keep you safe and make your trip a lot more fun!
This best car accessories for a road trip post was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

If you’re looking for the best car accessories to make your epic family road trip more manageable, I’ve got you covered!

There are many products out there that can help make your road trip even more fun and safe.

More and more families are choosing road trips for their family vacations. The US has SO many incredible National Parks and amazing destinations that are worth the drive.

It’s a great opportunity to make amazing memories with your kids, but road trips can be uncomfortable and long.

The road trip gadgets on my list are all noteworthy and can be helpful in many different situations. They’re sure to come in handy on your next big adventure.

Take a look and see which best car accessories you should order before your next road trip!

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland

15 Genius Road Trip Gear Ideas

#1 Wagan Electric Car Cooler and Warmer

Everyone needs to keep snacks and drinks cool on a long trip. It’s the best way to stay comfortable on a road trip! And this cooler is the best at just that.

You see, this cooler is not just your typical cooler. It’s basically a mini fridge that can also function as a warmer!

The key is that the power cord that plugs right into your car’s AC outlets. It’s not great at cooling things down, but if you add cold items, they stay cold hours later.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: electric car cooler and warmer

It can hold around 27 cans or four 2-liter bottles. And it stands vertically so you can easily fit it into a packed car.

With the flip of a switch the cooler turns into a heater, making it perfect for road trips, as well as camping trips, tailgating, and fishing trips. Check the latest rates and availability.

#2 OBDII Scanner and Code Reader

This is a universal diagnostic tool for cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans. It’s one of the best car accessories you didn’t know you needed!

It helps you diagnose what’s going on in case you were to run into trouble with your vehicle while you’re traveling.

Something like this will give you peace of mind if your check-engine light comes on, especially when you have kids in the car.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: obdii code reader

The LCD display screen shows you the meaning of over 3000 generic error codes.

That way you can fix any simple problems on your own or decide if it’s time to head to an auto repair shop.

Its compact size allows the OBDII code reader to easily fit in the palm of your hand, as well as your glove compartment.

And with only 2 buttons, it’s incredibly simple to operate. Check the latest rates and availability.

#3 TIKECO Charging Phone Mount

These days, phones are one of the most essential car accessories for a road trip! It’s you’re navigation system, your entertainment, and more.

So, you need the perfect car charger and mount for those long road trips. This mount is ideal for hands-free navigation.

I love that this car mount clamps onto your vent so it’s at eye level. This also means that you can keep your eyes on the road and the mount won’t disrupt your view.

The TIKECO charging phone mount includes wireless charging and fits most commonly used phones. Plus, includes auto-clamp (which comes in handy more than you’d think).

And it comes with a power cord that plugs right into your cigarette lighter. Check the latest rates and availability.

#4 JZCreater Car Headrest Pillow

Your co-pilot deserves to be comfortable during the long hours on the road! One of the best accessories for car travel is this adjustable headrest pillow.

This headrest attachment is easy to install and completely adjustable, so it works for both adults and children. When you’re done using it, just raise it up to its flush with the headrest.

Plus, it features a sleek design of PU leather and gel memory foam, making it feel like it’s part of your car!

It’s been tested for safety. And it includes a mount on the back that’s perfect for backseat passengers to hold their phone or other car accessories. Check the latest rates and availability.

#5 KMMOTORS Cooling Car Fan

This mountable fan will help get cool air to the back seat during those hot summer road trips.

There are tons of mountable car fans out there, but I think this one is so handy because it comes with 3 different mounting options.

Most car fans attach to the front seat head rest. If you have a child in a rear facing child seat, you know this can be a problem.

You can mount this fan on the rear window, an air vent, or a head rest. And it’s easy to rotate it so baby gets cool air!

I also like that it comes with 3 different speeds, and you just plug it into your USB ports for long trips. Check the latest rates and availability.

#6 GENIANI Cool Mist Humidifier

This small, portable diffuser has a 250ml water tank with cool mist that plugs into your cigarette lighter and can run up to 8 hours.

You can choose to have either an intermittent or constant mist. It also has an auto-off feature when you run out of water. 

This cool mist humidifier is easy to clean and is the perfect size for a 4-door sedan, truck, or car. You can also enjoy essential oils by applying them to a small insertable tray!

It’s super quiet and comes with an option to use a soft white light. And the small size fits perfectly in a cup holder. Check the latest rates and availability.

#7 WACACO Minipresso Portable Espresso Maker

A great way to cut down on stops and also save money is to make your own coffee!

This simple and efficient travel coffee maker allows you to easily make your own expresso on the road.

It’s light weight and has a compact design. And a great feature of the Minipresso Portable Espresso Maker is that it uses manual force, not electricity!

This particular machine is compatible with Nespresso pods only and heats your water for you. So, you can still enjoy a hot cup of coffee on the go.

It’s perfect for car camping, overnight trips, and long road trips. No need to boil water or drink bad coffee from gas stations (gross!). This little machine does everything for you. Check the latest rates and availability.

#8 AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

For the average driver, this digital power gauge is one of best car accessories to add to your glove compartment.

IT includes an easy-to-read digital display and a backlight LCD display for when you’re using it in dimly lit areas.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: digital tire pressure gager

The nozzle forms a seal with the valve stem easily on Schrader valves so it can give you a quick and accurate reading on the tire pressure.

The non-slip texture on the outside also makes it easier to hold. This is a huge plus if you have mobility concerns or plan to wear gloves. Check the latest rates and availability.

#9 CozyPhones Kids Headphones

If you have younger kids who won’t wear headphones, they might wear these ones. 

The headphones actually look like a head band! But inside, they feature very thin speakers for kids who hate using earbuds or bulky headphones.

The cozy design and flat speakers make them easy to sleep in during a long road trip, too.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: cozyphones headphones

Plus, they come in a range of cute designs, so your kiddo can help you pick the one they want! Which means they’re more likely to wear them.

Kids can use them with all their favorite devices. And they will easily fold to be stored away in any small pocket, backpack, or travel bag. Check the latest rates and availability.

#10 TF TAKEFLIGHT Tactical Pen

Keeping safe is a must on a road trip, and that’s where this tactical pen comes in handy.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: tactical pen

While it may look like an actual pen, it functions as so much more.

With its heavy-duty design, the pen doubles as a self-defense system, LED tactical flashlight, bottle opener, and an emergency escape glass breaker!

And yes, it’s a pen you can write with. Check the latest rates and availability.

#11 Drop Stop Seat Gap Filler

If you’ve ever dropped your phone while driving, you know how frustrating it is! And there’s nothing worse than the mess that a road trip causes.

The Drop Stop is one of those car accessories for road trips that you’ll never let go of. It fills the gap between the seat and the console of your car.

It secures over you seat belt and works universally for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Plus, you get 2: one for the driver’s side and one for the passenger’s side!

That means no more unnecessary stops to find your phone or messes in hard-to-reach places. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep the car clean. Check the latest rates and availability.

#12 Lusso Gear Car Seat Organizer

A great way to stay organized when traveling with kids is to use a car seat organizer.

This structured container fits perfectly in the front or back seat and is split into different compartments.

I love using a container like this when I’m taking road trips solo with kids.

I put it between my sons’ car seats in the back and fill it with books, games, and other things to keep them entertained.

And a wonderful feature are the seatbelt straps which will securely hold the basket organizer in place and prevent spills! Check the latest rates and availability.

#13 STDY Car Roadside Emergency Kit

When you’re out on the open road, you should be prepared for anything. One of the best road trip gadgets you can invest in is an emergency kit.

This one includes a complete first aid kit, a roadside assistance kit, jumper cables, reusable reflectors, a flashlight, thermal blankets, and more.

It has all the tools you’ll need in the event of an emergency on your family road trip.

To complete this kit, I’d add a few items, like a universal power bank like this one and more first aid kit supplies. Check the latest rates and availability.

#14 6-Port USB Car Charger

On a road trip with multiple electronic devices, you don’t want to be fighting for the car charger! So, another must-have car gadget is a power inverter.

Just plug it into your cigarette lighter USB port and you have 6 available for fast charging. And its surge protected.

It also includes a 4-foot-long cord, so it can reach all the way to the backseat if you only have 1 cigarette lighter in the car. Check the latest rates and availability.

#15 MIGHTYWIFI Portable HotSpot

The MIGHTYWIFI portable hotspot is a global WiFi hotspot that provides fast, secure and cost-effective mobile internet around the world.

It’s ideal for a family road trip, especially if you still have to work. I also love it for international travel when you’re not sure if you’ll have WiFi at your destination.

Best Car Gadgets for Traveling and Road Trips featured by top US travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland: portable hotspot

Keep your locked smart phone, tablet and laptop connected in over 100 countries! Service is pay-as-you-go, simply buy a data package whenever you need one.

You can connect up to 5 gadgets at once and it has a 12-hour battery life. Check the latest rates and availability.

Get Your Hands on The Top Road Trip Car Accessories

Safety and comfort are both things you need to plan for when planning your ultimate family road trip. These car accessories and gadgets will definitely help you breathe easier.

Now you can focus on making lasting memories and having a blast!

Looking for more road trip accessories? Check out this list of winter road trip essentials and family road trip packing hacks!

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